How To Dress For Professional Headshots
Being a professional headshot photographer, I’m often asked by my clients “What should I wear?” That’s a great question because what you wear is actually very important. Your headshots will be featured on your website, online portfolio, business cards, social media, and so on. Your headshots are your client’s first impression of you. As humans we are mostly visual, so putting in that effort to make a good first impression is very important. Gathering an outfit together the night before a photoshoot can be a tedious job but it doesn’t have to be. Thats why I put together a simple guide on how to dress for professional headshots, to help you dress for success.
Style yourself according to your industry
What is your job title? Who are your clients? Where will your headshots be featured? Is there room for growth within your company? If you’re a Realtor you should keep your look professional. If you’re in the creative industry your look can be more relaxed but it should remain clean. The aim of your headshot to tell the viewer who you are and what you’re all about.
What would you wear in a meeting with your client?
If you were to meet your client face to face what would you wear? Keep that question in mind when choosing your outfit.
Solids are a solid idea.
Patterns, lines, and stripes can be very distracting in an image, especially in an outdoor setting. That is why I always recommend that my clients come to their headshot session wearing solid colors. Solid and bold looks demand attention and look really professional.
Black and white pops!!!
Black or white is my go-to recommendation for headshots, especially for Realtors. It’s professional yet commands attention. Simple, clean, and effective. You can never go wrong with black and white as it compliments everyone and stands out against busy backgrounds.
Neutrals are a yes!
Just like black and white options, neutrals look amazing on camera too and are always a fabulous choice. Smart, professional, and straight to the point.
Wear clothes that fit well and make you feel fabulous
If you’re uncomfortable, it’s going to show on your photos and we don’t want that for you. We want you looking and most importantly feeling your best so we can have a successful photoshoot. Wear clothes that fit your body nicely, and give you confidence. Confidence translates onto photos and that’s exactly what we want for you!
Bring options
Bringing a backup outfit is recommended for any type of photoshoot but especially a headshot session. If you don’t want to change, I recommend bringing a blazer, a smart jacket, or a nice cardigan. That way you can add in and take off as you go. This will add variety to your images and give you more options.
Be true to yourself
I know I’ve guided you away from bold colors but if you’re a person who likes to command attention with color, that’s totally okay and it can still work. At the end of the day this is your headshot. Whatever you choose to wear, being true to yourself is important. I would prefer to photograph a happy, confident person over someone who is wearing something that they don’t necessarily like or feel good in.
